Next time you drive the famous Tree Tunnel, the clean roadside appearance you see is because of volunteers like Cynthia Kaiminaauao from our Reservations Department. For the last three years she has volunteered with her family to make the highway look beautiful for Kauai events like Koloa Plantation Days and Kauai Marathon. You can read more about her efforts in The Garden Island Newspaper.
It took a cattle rancher’s gift of 500 eucalyptus trees from Australia to start the famous Tree Tunnel. That was over 100 years ago when sugar king Walter Duncan McBryde made his generous donation to our island community. These Swamp Mahogany’s have now survived two hurricanes and continue to thrive for future generations. Their lush canopy is over 100 feet above the ground creating a grand entrance to the South Shore and our Poipu vacation rentals.
Arguably the most well known trees on Kauai, you’ll find this one mile stretch of Tree Tunnel when you turn off on Maluhia Road (Hwy. 520) and head south to Koloa Town and Poipu Beach. It’s a short scenic drive that you’ll enjoy often on your Kauai vacation. Kids love this road too which feels like something from a popular fairy tale. One of my favorite times to drive through the Tree Tunnel is at night during a full moon when the eucalyptus glows in the soft light.
McBryde’s gifts to Kauai also included the popular Kauai golf course, Kukuiolono, where you can play for nine dollars all day. He lived an active life as co-founder of the McBryde Sugar Company and manager of Kauai Pineapple.
When you drive Tree Tunnel, roll the car windows down or lower the top of your convertible to enjoy this living Kauai treasure. If you stop to take a photo, please park in a safe spot away from blind turns and be very cautious of oncoming traffic from both directions.